The Society of Ornamental Turners exists to encourage, develop and promote the study and practice of the art of ornamental turning. This encompasses a wide variety of types of work including traditional English ornamental turning as exemplified in Volume V of Holzapffel's book ‘The Principles and Practice of Complex and Ornamental Turning’, Rose engine turning (both with fixed and rotary tools), Geometric Chuck work and Engine turning on metal.

This work may be carried out using historic machinery from such makers such as Holtzapffel, Evans or Birch (which must first be carefully restored to working order, a task which some members find as pleasurable as the actual ornamental turning), or alternatively modern approaches may be taken either painstaking
construction of accurate replicas of historical equipment, or alternatively entirely original approaches (even some CNC), or – improvised from scrap. Fine
work has been produced, in the right hands from all these approaches.

Seminars

The society organize seminars to pass on knowlegde on the craft of ornamental turning. Nick Edwards, a past president of the society, wrote an article
describing the setups which were used at a seminar which he hosted. The article was originally published in the society bulletin (one of the membership
benefits), but an edited version is now available online.

Martin Matthews

Engine Turning

Examples of OT

Exhibitions 2019

The SOT will have a stand at the Model Engineering exhibition at Alexandra
Palace where there will be demonstrations of OT. The exhibition is Friday 18th through Sunday 20th January. For details see the exhibition
website.

SOT Bulletin

One of the benefits of SOT membership is the bulletin, a high quality
publication produced twice a year and sent to members. A sample copy is now available online!

OT in action

Introduction to Ornamental Turning

This video produced by Mike Bain gives an introduction to the society and to the varied interests of its members.

WCOT Competitions

Well done to all those who took part in the Worshipful Company of Turners competitions held on the 26th and 27th November 2018 at the Carpenters Hall London where the ornamental turning exhibits stood out in terms of quality and elegance. Bob Wade demonstrated ornamental turning throughout the day using the SOT Holtzapffel lathe. Over 1000 people passed through the exhibition and had a chance to see what ornamental turning was all about.

Congratulations to the winners, runners-up, and those commended!

Further details are available on the Worshipful Company of Turners
website. There is also a gallery of some of the winning entries.